Suiren

@misterJ
Ha , ha I've been saying the same thing about our society for a while also and I guess I'm probably your age or older .
Then again if you read the book "Hagakure " the Samurai were saying much the same thing in the early 1700's , so go figure .

Maybe it is just me, but if I don't like sonething I usually ignore it. And if I really must talk about sonething that is not my taste I will just voice that and then move on to more important things. ;)

Yes! To me it seems they really can't understand what is appealing about tattoos. They don't even have the hint of a desire to put anything on their body....which I honestly don't understand ;)
I think body art like Piercings and Tattoos done well can enhance looks.

*waves some cheerleader pom poms*
Yup, it's your skin so who gives a flying fuck. I personally won't criticise someone's tattoos for that exact reason. Also no matter how small and crappy one's may seem it was a moment in their life where that was awesome for them even if it was a random flash on the wall they picked purely for wanting a tattoo.

I am right there with you. I love my tattoos. They are not anything special to most people but they mean the world to me. Don't ever let anyone look down on you because you have placed your story and your character on your skin. I think that no matter how "simple", "boring" or "too mainstream" your ink is, it is special and unique to you. Own it and wear it proudly, those looking down on you are just jealous!!!

You can, but I will still add that typographical tattoos aren't necessarily bad ones either. Stephanie Tamez being an example of somebody who has done pretty spectacular large scale type-based tattoos.

Man I thought this thread was about bad tattoos (difficult enough to define as it is without entering douchey territory), not about tattoos I don't like. That distinction seems pretty crucial to me. I can't stand black licorice, but that doesn't mean I'd call it a "bad" food (although I definitely have done that when my husband has eaten it because I'm a jerk).

I hope when you complete that thought it isn't total nonsense like it is here. When I look at the lettering tattoos that people like Tim Hendricks, BJ Betts, Katie Sellergren, Anderson Luna, to just name a few, I don't think for a moment that lettering as a craft, or tattooing as a craft, is being degraded. That is melodramatic garbage and I don't think you care enough about non-tattoo forms and ways of lettering to even believe that yourself (and if you do, you're still wrong about it). Even getting away from people who have made their names doing lettering, there are so many more tattooers who work hard to improve their lettering maybe not because it's the area of tattooing that they're the most excited about but because people ask for lettering, and they want to give their clients the best tattoo they can. This isn't just a new thing...read George Burchett because he writes about doing huge amounts of text on his clients. Obviously a lot of text-based tattoos aren't done well, but that doesn't mean that text is bad as such.
Also, for the purposes of this forum and our attempt here to actively promote good tattooing, I think that completely dismissing text in tattoos as being bad is counterproductive.

I 100% agree to this statement. I was speaking more to the general mindset of art or expression by some. I think for the most part we see things pretty much the same way.

If you don't like lettering, don't get it! BAM.

It is not all that weird. Certain things I just will never like no matter how hard I try to see why it might appeal to others. It is nice to know likeminded people to share my interests with, but I accept that not everyone likes knitting, sewing, medieval stuff, black metal etc. I can still have a great time with people that like different things :)
Aaaand in this case we all like tattoos, so we at least have that in common...and whether we prefer lettering, symbols, portraits, flowers, birds, skulls, minimalistic /simple tattoos or really complicated art and lots of color should not matter so much imho.
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Not sure if that was also referring to my above post, but I just wanted to make clear that I did not state that "everything is art", but "there are many types and forms of art that are abmatter of taste".
Meaning lettering, like I noted above, can be done well or not so well, or placed wrong. But so can all tattoos. Even something very elaborate and complicated can be done badly and not harmonize with the body's curves.
Whether it is art also depends on the execution. I know a tattoo of a fantastic very simple triangle (only outlines), that I find looks great because it is just so well done and not misplaced.
I do agree that customers should take the advice of the artist regarding placement and things like that, just the artist should not say "you want font? That is not art, how about a skull instead?"
There should be a compromise that makes the client happy and incorporates the professional advice from the artist.

You make several good points. I think maybe it is time for me to re-evaluate my thoughts on lettering in tattoos. In the past, no matter how hard I think about it, text always feels wrong to me. I can't exactly pin why though. Even without thinking about any other reasons than my own, I still can't figure out why I don't like text. shits weird...

A lot of judgements on appearances in this thread. Thank goodness nobody ever judges us on how WE look.

Well I would say everybody is different? Some like to have a lot of meaning to it, some don't care at all.
I like a mix of meaning and designs I like from the looks. Many people might be quite sensitive about their "sob stories", so I won't question or ridicule them. Afterall, I usually won't know what truly is behind these stories.
I think fonts can look great, but they are harder to adjust to the body's shape. Placement is key and of course clean lines.
As to why a lot of people like them - well, why do people like different things than you? Different music, movies, clothing...it is all just a matter of taste. I listen to Black Metal, my friends like Pop. I won't think too hard about why they like pop or critisize their choice ;).
Text can also be a smaller, more subtle or minimalistic option for people who are concerned about work or just like something minimalistic. There are many forms of art and minimalism and typography/ calligraphy are some of them.
I plan to get a small poem that can in no way whatsoever be described by images. I have been staring at this poem on my wall for years, I like the exact words, the sound, the old language

Well I would say everybody is different? Some like to have a lot of meaning to it, some don't care at all.
I like a mix of meaning and designs I like from the looks. Many people might be quite sensitive about their "sob stories", so I won't question or ridicule them. Afterall, I usually won't know what truly is behind these stories.
I think fonts can look great, but they are harder to adjust to the body's shape. Placement is key and of course clean lines.
As to why a lot of people like them - well, why do people like different things than you? Different music, movies, clothing...it is all just a matter of taste. I listen to Black Metal, my friends like Pop. I won't think too hard about why they like pop or critisize their choice ;).
Text can also be a smaller, more subtle or minimalistic option for people who are concerned about work or just like something minimalistic. There are many forms of art and minimalism and typography/ calligraphy are some of them.
I plan to get a small poem that can in no way whatsoever be described by images. I have been staring at this poem on my wall for years, I like the exact words, the sound, the old language

Yes it is pretty great. You can decide to go back earlier of course ,but if you want to focus on raising your children first you can do that. It gives me the chance to expand my creative home business.
I will take any good and friendly advice of course, and a reputable shop is a must! My first tattoo was done by an apprentice of a supposedly good shop and he really did not do a good job. That is why I want to learn more here and possibly get an opinion on artists.

I listen to mostly black metal and some folk or death metal. To name a few bands -summoning, darkestrah, agalloch, october falls, gallowbraid, ensiferum, amon amarth, wintersun, amesoeurs, wolves in the throne room, coldworld and many more where I prefer a few songs rather than whole albums.

Hello!
I am asking this because I had a couple of rough experiences in other (German) forums and want to ask this before getting very engaged in a community.
There I did not even get the chance to post a picture, I was judged by what I said that I had done and planned for the future.
Maybe my tattoos are "mainstream" or were more popular at some point, but I really never gave that much thought because frankly I don't care. I just get what makes me happy, not others. (My tattoos are up to ten years old and I still like them.)
So to said Forums, the mere thought of a butterfly must have signalized "blasphemy" to them. I understand some designs aren't the best combination, or not tattoed the best way, but I would not go so far to insult the wearer, quote: "with mainstream designs like that you are already setting yourself up for a fail, it is boring and if I was a tattoo artist I would refuse to tattoo boring bullshit like that."
It is not like it was constructive and polite criticism either. The whole forum shared that opinion, aside from a few that asked to be deleted because of the bullys.
The designs talked about: a butterfly in only black and white with bold lines, a kanji (part of my name), a dead tree (also b&w), part of a rune poem in font, my son's name in gaelic font with a small design, a swallow, small birds, a deer, various flowers (not all together, but spread over parts of my body)
Few of these I already have, some are planned soon and some I like for the future. All of these have been planned for years and are part of a story. I have overcome great illness the past 10 years and every design is part of a continuing theme.
I was told font and poems, kanji and butterflies (or stars, symbols, flowers, tribals etc.) are a "no go", names of children frowned upon, and that the black and white and simpler designs I like are plain boring and unoriginal?
(But what I don't understand is how it is original to try so hard to be original and unique because others with tats will judge you? That would lead to a whole other form of mainstream imho.)
I have trouble finding a good tattoo artist because of the prejudice.
Long story short, I am wondering if it is the same everywhere, or if it is maybe just a German tattoo community thing.
I would love to learn more about tattoos and share future plans to receive some advice.
But if I am frowned upon because of my tattoo design choice, then I'd rather just do my own thing because it just would not be enjoyable.
Some more about me:
I am 31, mom to a two year old, usually work as a bilingual Administrative Assistant but am still doing my 3 year maternity leave while working from home a bit.
In my free time I knit, sew clothing, participate in medieval events and reenactment and bow shooting (mongolian recurve) or meet other moms and babies.
We are planning to have baby number two in the near future and I hope to get some ink done before that because I will have to take a long break when pregnant and after.
Best,
Suiren

Hello!
I am asking this because I had a couple of rough experiences in other (German) forums and want to ask this before getting very engaged in a community.
There I did not even get the chance to post a picture, I was judged by what I said that I had done and planned for the future.
Maybe my tattoos are "mainstream" or were more popular at some point, but I really never gave that much thought because frankly I don't care. I just get what makes me happy, not others. (My tattoos are up to ten years old and I still like them.)
So to said Forums, the mere thought of a butterfly must have signalized "blasphemy" to them. I understand some designs aren't the best combination, or not tattoed the best way, but I would not go so far to insult the wearer, quote: "with mainstream designs like that you are already setting yourself up for a fail, it is boring and if I was a tattoo artist I would refuse to tattoo boring bullshit like that."
It is not like it was constructive and polite criticism either. The whole forum shared that opinion, aside from a few that asked to be deleted because of the bullys.
The designs talked about: a butterfly in only black and white with bold lines, a kanji (part of my name), a dead tree (also b&w), part of a rune poem in font, my son's name in gaelic font with a small design, a swallow, small birds, a deer, various flowers (not all together, but spread over parts of my body)
Few of these I already have, some are planned soon and some I like for the future. All of these have been planned for years and are part of a story. I have overcome great illness the past 10 years and every design is part of a continuing theme.
I was told font and poems, kanji and butterflies (or stars, symbols, flowers, tribals etc.) are a "no go", names of children frowned upon, and that the black and white and simpler designs I like are plain boring and unoriginal?
(But what I don't understand is how it is original to try so hard to be original and unique because others with tats will judge you? That would lead to a whole other form of mainstream imho.)
I have trouble finding a good tattoo artist because of the prejudice.
Long story short, I am wondering if it is the same everywhere, or if it is maybe just a German tattoo community thing.
I would love to learn more about tattoos and share future plans to receive some advice.
But if I am frowned upon because of my tattoo design choice, then I'd rather just do my own thing because it just would not be enjoyable.
Some more about me:
I am 31, mom to a two year old, usually work as a bilingual Administrative Assistant but am still doing my 3 year maternity leave while working from home a bit.
In my free time I knit, sew clothing, participate in medieval events and reenactment and bow shooting (mongolian recurve) or meet other moms and babies.
We are planning to have baby number two in the near future and I hope to get some ink done before that because I will have to take a long break when pregnant and after.
Best,
Suiren